Migration Health Research Podcast No. 10 (Migration Health Research Bulletin #23)
Lucy Jordan, Associate Professor, University of Hong Kong, outlines the key findings on the health and social consequences among left-behind children and caregivers in migrant households in Cambodia.
Despite the large flow of internal and international/cross-border labor migration and its importance to economic development and poverty alleviation, little is known of the health and social consequences to migrants and their families in Cambodia. The link between migration and the institutionalization of children of migrant workers is also poorly understood. This study addresses two key research questions:
1 - Are there any significant health and social consequences to left-behind children and family members of migrant workers in Cambodia?
2 - Does migration result in institutionalization or fostering of children of migrant workers?
The findings of this study cover the following topics: migration and socio-economic status, migration dynamics and history including destinations, durations, remittances, and communication between origin households and migrants; and child and caregiver physical and mental health. Detailed comparisons are made about migration destinations (internal and international-cross-border), migration types (father-migrants, mother-migrants, both-parents-migrant), and child caregiving arrangements.